i inventory my kits twice a year. check not only for used stuff, but expired as well. things like bandaids actually do expire, expiration not only means not guarantee of sterility but things like the adhesives dry out and turn to dust. tape dries out, and i ahve actually seen gause that was exposed to heat and sunlight become hard and brittle.

this year i replaced my bp cuff when i found dry rot begining in the rubber. next time i will likely be replacing my 20+ year old stethoscope as well. Thats gonna hurt, we have a LONG history with a lot of miles together.

The purpose of fighting is to win. There is no possible victory indefense. The sword is more important than the shield, and skill is moreimportant than either. The final weapon is the brain. All else issupplemental.

My Father In-law expired in the hospital in Dec. after 3 separate stays in ICU.

Those scissors and the suture scissor / tweezer sets were everywhere, I asked the nurse where they go and was told "the sharps bin" most of the time. He told me to take whatever was open, then he started bringing part rolls of assorted width tape and leaving them on the shelf. We gave him a Victorinox AAA LED during one of dad's stays.

During his illness he spent alot of time visiting the wound care center, the nurses there were always sending us home with extra poly-mem silver, specialized dressings, 2x2s and 4x4s.

He had good insurance so the visiting nurses were never afraid to order whatever was needed.
I have a large Rubber Maid tub filled to the top with stuff that built up over the course of his illness.

Work FAK can be the worst for non-rotation/ replacement of contents, because no one gives them a second thought til they are needed. Unless someone is assigned to inspect them and restock them, it often doesn't happen.

*post contains personal opinion only and should not be considered information released in an official capacity*

Originally Posted By tc556guy:Work FAK can be the worst for non-rotation/ replacement of contents, because no one gives them a second thought til they are needed. Unless someone is assigned to inspect them and restock them, it often doesn't happen.

Our recreation center has 2 wall mounted FAK cabinets.
Without fail the ice paks and 4x4s are gone.
I try to tell people that 4x4s are NOT to be used instead of going to the bathroom for paper towels...